FIA swearing u-turn sparks criticism from Hamilton and Russell

FIA’s Softened Stance on Swearing Draws Criticism Ahead of Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix

IMOLA — Amid the buildup to the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, the FIA's decision to dial back its controversial stance on swearing in Formula 1 has drawn sharp criticism from multiple drivers, with Lewis Hamilton branding the entire situation "a bit of a mess" and George Russell questioning the governing body's motives as "a bit suspect."

Under revised guidelines announced ahead of the Imola race weekend, the FIA reduced the maximum penalty for drivers' use of foul language from €10,000 ($11,214) to €5,000. They also introduced flexibility for stewards to suspend penalties for first-time offenders. This marks a significant shift from the stricter measures enforced by FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem over the past year. However, this change does little to alleviate mounting frustration within the paddock.

The Origins of Controversy

The controversy initially stemmed from rallying events, where drivers negotiated a compromise in April to divide venues into "controlled zones" and "uncontrolled zones." The same compromise was extended to Formula 1. Yet, the broader issue of strained communication between the FIA and competitors remains unresolved, according to multiple drivers.

When asked for his thoughts on the governing body's retreat from harsher penalties for swearing in motorsports, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton did not hold back in his assessment.

"It seems a bit of a mess there at the moment. There’s lots of changes that are needed, for sure," Hamilton said during media availability. "I don’t know where it’s stemming from. I mean, it is ridiculous. But nothing I say is going to make any difference to it."

George Russell’s ‘Suspect’ Take on FIA Policies

Hamilton’s comments reflect broader concerns around the FIA's handling of key issues, including its management of driver misconduct regulations and its overall engagement with competitors. George Russell, now a senior figure in the paddock as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association (GPDA), echoed Hamilton’s frustrations. The Mercedes driver lamented the absence of meaningful dialogue between the FIA and drivers, calling the organization’s approach "suspect."

"I feel the changes should have never happened in the first place," Russell said. "So we’re talking about a situation where things have been reverted because it was a little bit ludicrous in the first place.

"Of course we're happy to see things go back to how they should be, but it should never have been there in the first place. So it feels a bit wrong to be thanking the changes when we shouldn't have been in that place to begin with.

"And we’ve still had no correspondence with anyone from senior-level FIA. So, yeah, it’s all a bit suspect."

Russell further highlighted the difficulty of arranging meetings with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, describing attempts to address concerns as "challenging." According to the Mercedes driver, while competitors have voiced their grievances, the lack of reciprocal engagement from FIA leadership has left drivers in a precarious position.

"It’s got to be mutual, and it’s got to come from both directions," Russell remarked. "We’ve put our views forward and want to have conversations. But there’s only so much you can ask."

Max Verstappen’s Optimistic View

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who faced scrutiny last year after being ordered to complete community service for swearing at a press conference in Singapore, struck a more optimistic tone regarding the revised regulations.

"It’s a positive start, I would say," Verstappen commented. "I’m pleased that they realized that what they had before was probably a bit too aggressive."

While Verstappen acknowledged the progress, the larger discontent surrounding the FIA’s implementation of policies highlights the need for proactive collaboration between drivers and the governing body moving forward.

Looking Ahead to Imola

The FIA has defended its actions, stating in April that feedback from drivers had been "constructive." But with apparent gaps in communication remaining, drivers appear far from satisfied. The upcoming Grand Prix in Imola will provide an opportunity for these frustrations to bubble over further in post-race discussions.

As Formula 1 intensifies its focus on regulatory matters, the growing divide between competitors and motorsport’s highest governing body underscores the need for transparency and mutual understanding—elements that remain elusive to date.

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